This summer, BYHP is thrilled to be opening its doors to young people again – this time to host an array of brilliant activities to provide invaluable new skills.

The BYHP summer programme, which is now in full swing having kicked off at the end of July, sees the BYHP team and some of our fantastic partners work together to offer three day skills courses. These are specifically aimed at helping our young people develop invaluable life and career skills across cookery, digital music, first aid, business and personal development. If you’d like to book onto any of the remaining courses (Common Sense Cooking 21st – 23rd August, and Dragon’s Den Enterprise Week 28th to 30th August), contact us as soon as possible.

This year’s summer programme kicked off with a hugely successful Personal and Social Development course, which was delivered by members of the BYHP team as part of our Unit Award Scheme. This activity-based course was designed to develop confidence and enable attendees to better understand their role in today’s society. To do so, it focused on some of those challenges that are well-documented amongst young people, including self-esteem, personal goals, emotional wellbeing, rights & responsibilities, and equality & diversity. Everyone who attended the course has now received five AQA Unit Award Scheme certificates – well done, everyone! Adam, from St Mungo’s homelessness charity, also attended one morning of the course – helping the students to build and paint work benches as a confidence building activity. Take a look at some of their amazing work below:

The next week’s activity was a First Aid and Health and Safety course, delivered by Foscote Hospital. Again, this was a huge success with all students really engaging with the content and keen to learn new skills that could one day help them to care for others in need. The activities included basic life support, fire extinguisher practice and a manual handling obstacle course. All students who attended the full course came away with certificates in first aid and life support, fire safety training and moving and handling.

Currently underway is our Digital Music Production course. This is being delivered by our friends Community Albums . This course is all about showing the students just what it takes to create your own music as a form of self expression, while providing an insight into the music world. The students are enjoying working with professional grade equipment and quality software, helping them to create their own unique piece of music. Once the course is completed, we are planning to create our very own BYHP album, which will include pieces created by our students which represent something of value to them. Watch this space for the next big thing in music, it could just be one of our students!

Next week’s course is all about Common Sense Cooking, which will be delivered by Nina of Nina&Co, a marketing cooperative and one of BYHP’s wonderful volunteers. The course, taking place between 21st and 23rd August, will give students the opportunity to really get stuck in and have some fun making some classic dishes with a healthy twist – think burgers, pizza, chilli and curry. Additionally, the students will be learning the essentials of hygienic food preparation, healthy meal planning and kitchen safety.

Last but certainly not least on the agenda for this year’s BYHP Summer Programme is the Dragon’s Den Enterprise Week, led by BYHP itself. Held between 28th and 30th August, this course is part of our Unit Award Scheme programme, and will provide students with an exciting look into the world of business. It will give insight into areas such as the power of advertising and competition, whilst teaching students about business for life and gain. At the end of the course, each student will be putting their learning into practice and demonstrating their entrepreneurial flair as they pitch their innovative ideas to our very own BYHP dragons!

Remember, if you’re keen to join us on either of the upcoming courses (Common Sense Cooking 21st – 23rd August, and Dragon’s Den Enterprise Week 28th to 30th August), we still have some places remaining! Contact us as soon as possible to reserve your place and begin developing your skills for life.

There will be lots of fun and excitement over at the BYHP stall, including a tombola and a lucky dip. You’ll also have the chance to buy your tickets for this year’s raffle (just £2 each), with some great prizes up for grabs:

1st prize – a viola signed by the Fairport Convention band

2nd prize – golf clubs

3rd prize – a wine hamper

4th prize – Wrendale design Royal Worcester mugs

Our volunteers will be selling tickets around the village too so keep a lookout for them. Alternatively, get in touch with us beforehand (enquiries@byhp.org.uk) and we can set some tickets aside for you.

We’ll also be selling water at our stall throughout the festival so you can stay hydrated (let's hope this glorious weather holds!) Remember, all the money raised goes towards supporting our work with young people in the community. As ever, your kind support is greatly appreciated by everyone at BYHP.

We’d like to wish everyone attending this festival a fantastic weekend and we look forward to seeing you there!